World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, commanding the submarine “USS Harder” (SS-257) in the Pacific Theatre. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery during the “Harder’s” fifth patrol, which lasted from May 26, 1944 to July 3, 1944. His citation reads “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Harder in Japanese-controlled waters. Floodlighted by a bright moon and disclosed to an enemy destroyer escort which bore down with intent to attack, Comdr. Dealey quickly dived to periscope depth and waited for the pursuer to close range, then opened fire, sending the target and all aboard down in flames with his third torpedo. Plunging deep to avoid fierce depth charges, he again surfaced and, within 9 minutes after sighting another destroyer, had sent the enemy down tail first with a hit directly amidship. Evading detection, he penetrated the confined waters off Tawi Tawi with the Japanese Fleet base 6 miles away and scored death blows on 2 patrolling destroyers in quick succession. With his ship heeled over by concussion from the first exploding target and the second vessel nose-diving in a blinding detonation, he cleared the area at high speed. Sighted by a large hostile fleet force on the following day, he swung his bow toward the lead destroyer for another "down-the-throat" shot, fired 3 bow tubes and promptly crash-dived to be terrifically rocked seconds later by the exploding ship as the Harder passed beneath. This remarkable record of 5 vital Japanese destroyers sunk in 5 short-range torpedo attacks attests the valiant fighting spirit of Comdr. Dealey and his indomitable command.” Commander Dealey and the entire crew of the “Harder” were later lost when the submarine was sunk by Japanese depth charges on August 24, 1944 during the Battle of Dasol Bay off Luzon Island, Philippines. His Medal was posthumously awarded to him on August 29, 1945. Additionally, he was also awarded the Navy Cross and the Army Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star, making him one of the most decorated United States Naval officers of World War II. He had sank sixteen Japanese vessels, with the tonnage over 54,000. A cenotaph was erected for him in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas, and he is listed on the Tables of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippine Islands.